Good 250cc bike?

[GrumpyGuts]

Hi,

I am planning to get a 250cc motorcycle next year, however I cannot see any decent makes/models that fit my needs.

Basically, NOT CHINESE, 250cc (under 33bhp) and not a sport bike. I have no idea what to work towards. Also, I need a rear rack on it so I can put on a top box.

Can anybody help?

[WannaBeDude]

Yes, budget please !!
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Jogging on, destination living.

[GrumpyGuts]

Oops! Sorry!

Around £1000 to £2500

[WannaBeDude]

Happy days, usage and how long u keeping it ....

Then await others with 250 ' stuff '
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Jogging on, destination living.

[TheSmiler]

Any particular type of bike that you are leaning towards; street, sport or cruiser for example that would help to narrow the choice.
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[Sako]

you may find a YBR250 for that price - seem to get good reviews

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Yamaha/Yamaha-YBR250-2009-current/

[dungbug]

[G]

Why 250cc? That's like saying "I want a bike with a 16 litre fuel tank."
It's an arbirtrary figure that doesn't mean much - some bikes with a 16 litre fuel tank will go for 80 miles, others for 280. Some will be wide, some narrow.

If you can get the new ninja 250 in budget it should be a reasonable choice. Ignore the fairings and name - it's a commuter bike made to appeal to people that want more.

Me? I'd get a cheap GPZ500S and get it restricted. Or an SV650 and the same - so that I got a good chunk of improvement when I took them out.

[Rogerborg]

[tsmith]

Honda CBF250
22bhp, 80mph, cheap to run, insure etc. Good little commuter.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Not a sport bike? I quite fancy one of these myself :-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-TU-250-GRASS-TRACKER-/150720111784
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[GrumpyGuts]

I was thinking of a YBR 250 or a CBF 250, but neither Yamaha or Honda have any pages on their website about them!

I don't want a sports bike because of the insurance cost (even though the Ninja 250 looks YUM). I would like a naked or a custom bike.

I am 19 (20 when I am planning to get the new bike) and I am taking my restricted (A2) test this year. So in January (when my insurance is up for renewal) I would like to purchase a bike.

[Frost]

You know you can just swap the bike on the policy?

XR250, either as a supermoto or as an off roader as you can do some green laneing.

[GrumpyGuts]

I don't want to swap it because I need specialist insurance, so it is very expensive. I want to wait until I get some road experience and 1 years NCB

[G]

[GrumpyGuts]

Insurance for me is 630 for a chinese scooter because I have a conviction. I put a quote through for the Ninja and nearly had a heart attack

I don't want to restrict a bike, but it's looking like a YBR or a CBF. I'll stick to 250cc for now for at least two years. It is mainly insurance, the only fucking brick wall!!!!

[G]

[GrumpyGuts]

I can't use comparison sites because I have a conviction not motoring related. So the prices I get, though a completely wet dream for me, are totally unrealistic.

Getting a restricted bike may bump up my already expensive policy so I just want to play it safe, really

[The Shaggy D.A.]

If the conviction is not motoring related, why are you disclosing it?
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[G]

[.Chris.]

Be aware that many 'commuter' 250s are significantly under 33bhp - a lot are more like 20bhp. Still a nice step up from a 125, but not as quick as something like a restricted CB/GS/ER/GPZ500.

Having said that, the best bike I've ever had was a Honda CD250U. Great looks, lovely to ride, and cheap to run. Downsides are rarity, oldness (20-25 years old now), and poor availability of some parts.

Honda also made a CB250 from '92-'03 with the same engine, albeit with a single carb (not to be confused with the earlier superdream). I've never ridden one, but I presume it's a similar beast to the CD250. Not as nice looking though, IMO.

There's also the revered CB250RS single from the early 80s, which has more power than either of the above.

The Suzuki GN250 may be worth a look. Slightly custom-styled, with a ~20bhp 4v single. Parts availability looks to be pretty good, and they seem to have been sold until the late 90s. I've got the GN400, which is still under 33bhp but much older and rarer, with poor parts availability and 6v electrics.

There are also some cruiser 250s, such as the Yamaha Virago 250, that you might want to consider.
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[Rogerborg]

[GrumpyGuts]

[WannaBeDude]

mATERIAL FACT MY ASS !! .. what spent time does your conviction give ..
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Jogging on, destination living.

[GrumpyGuts]

My conviction won't be spent until 5th August 2021